Hat and cap construction with interchangeable components

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hat construction. More particularly the invention relates to a hat or cap that may be changed in size and or comes with interchangeable and reversible components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hats usually range in sizes. Hats are worn for fashion and for comfort. Sometimes people buy the same type of hat with different size brims. With my invention you can buy one hat and convert it into different sizes. This feature saves the consumer a lot of money. The appearance of the hat may also be altered by attaching a band member around the upper region of the hat (where a band is usually placed) or by attaching an embellishment in the allotted space.

In view of the fact that the prior art is silent on a hat or cap construction that breaks up into different size and style hats or caps. To achieve this and other readily apparent objectives, the present invention essentially discloses a hat construction for enabling a user or wearer to selectively attach a component for improving function and or appearance of the hat construction. The hat construction according to the present invention comprises a hat foundation member and at least one attachable component.

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Depending on different configurations, the upper components may vary in shape and size. The zipper portions will have an inner skirt that allows for a smooth operation of the zipper slide and pull half portion attached to the lower peripheral edge of the inner skirt as it engages with a reciprocating zipper post half portion, attached to a top edge or bottom edge or top region of an attachable section or hat foundation.

Attachable components may employ other fastening means, such as snaps, mechanical traditional snaps, buttons, Velcro® Hook and Loop, buckles, linear zippers, linear dual post zippers, and curved zippers.

The-fastening devices may not be concealed. Further, it is noted that such non-concealed fasteners can be attached be being sewn in, glued and punch pressed and by any other means conventionally known to those skilled in the art.

If the demarcation between the foundation hat or upper component is of a curved nature with no sharp corners, a curved zipper such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,484 of Farrell, can optionally be used for attachment. These can be single post on the upper component if it is not reversible. Notably, the upper components may be reversible if the design lends itself to the invention. In this case, it can use a dual post zipper for the reversible component. The curved zipper can be outwardly visible, or it can be covered by an outer flap of any geometric configuration or attached inner skirt.

In a further embodiment, the outer upper component that serves as a trim on the hat or cap is attached to an inner surface of another component located inside the foundation hat or attachable component adjacent to its top edge. This is facilitated by flaps attached to the open edge of the foundation base in which the flaps are pulled upward over the foundation hat edge engaging its inner surface.

A zipper may be sewed into or around the exterior of a foundation hat or cap allowing for an attachable component serving as an embellishment.

Another component used to trim or embellish a foundation may be made as thin as ¼ inch in width attaching at the peripheral edge of an upper and bottom component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible hat with a large brim.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a convertible hat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a band strap component.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a band strap with a visor attached to it.

FIG. 5 is a cut out perspective view of an opened zipper region.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a baseball cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment which is a hat foundation with a large brim region. The Brim on this hat breaks up into sections. Each section 2 creates a different size brim. The sections are made with zippers 3 on the perimeters that are hidden beneath a flap 9. The sections have zipper 3 features on both of the perimeters. These sections are optionally reversible. When they are reversible, they will be made with dual post zippers. The hat foundation has a zipper 3 section for a decorative band strap around the base 5 of the hat foundation. This feature creates more versatility because you can mix and match colors or fabrics. This hat may optionally be made with a feature on the crown 6. This feature may either be an eyelet that allows for a screw on feature to be attached, or it can be a male snap half that allows for a feature with a female snap or half to be attached to the reciprocating end. This feature will embellish the crown of the hat. Notably, the feature may also be implemented on a cap style hat. The hat foundations have utility by themselves.

FIG. 1A is a cut out perspective view of the flaps being turned upward and downward, displaying the zipper feature.

FIG. 1B is the hat foundation. This is the part that encompasses the crown of the head. Notably, this foundation may be made with an allotted area on the hat that will allow for an attachable component. The attachable component may serve as an embellishment or may allow one to color coordinate.

FIG. 1C is the first attachable section of the hat. Notably these attachable sections may be made of different sizes or configurations. Furthermore they may be made where they stick straight out when they are attached to the hat foundation. (a right angle)or they may attach at an angle greater than 90 degrees. (angles may vary)

FIG. 1D is the second attachable section of the hat.

FIG. 1E is the third attachable section of the hat.

FIG. 1F is an attachable component that has an opening in the center with elastic 22 around the opening 23. This component will allow you to channel a pony tail through the opening. This component will take the place of a detachable section in the hat foundation. The removable section and the component will be attachable via a zipper. Other pony tail hats have been made, but when the pony tail is not in use the ugly sight of a hole in the hat is visible. With this feature you no longer have that problem. Notably other fastening means may be used, such as snaps or other fasteners known to those skilled in the art. This feature may be implemented in any style hat foundation, such as skull caps, ball caps, sun hats etc.

FIG. 1G is an attachable component that may replace the member for the pony tail when the pony tail is not in use.

FIG. 2 is a hat foundation that converts from a straight brim style hat to a floppy brim style. This hat has numerous zipper sections 19 that start at the band region of the hat and extend to the perimeter 10 of the hat. When this zipper section is unzipped the brim of the hat expands in that area, showing a gusset 99 member. Notably, a hat foundation may be made with any number of zipper sections 19 with gussets 99. The hat will ideally have four sections. This hat foundation is made with a depression that has hook fastening means 51 within it. This feature allows you to attach an upper member 52. The hat is displayed with an upper member 52 affixed to it. Because the hat is made with a depression 50, the upper member fits planar with the rest of the hat. This hat also has a zipper feature around the band beneath a flap that allows for an interchangeable band member. These features are optional. Notably, the hat foundation may be made with any number of depressions for upper members and they may be of any configuration such as squares, ovals, stars, half circles, rectangles and any other designs known to those skilled in the art. This illustration is for illustration only and must not be construed as limiting. Notably, a band strap may be made to convert in this manner.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of FIG. 2 in an expanded manner displaying the gussets.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a band strap 11 component. This band strap comes with one zipper half that is matable with a compatible section 2. Notably, the band strap 11 may be made in different sizes. This strap completes the section 2 members. This strap may be made of different colors, materials, fabrics and or embellishments. This strap member is circumferential 13. This member will be ideal for trimming the hat.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a band strap with a Visor 12 section attached to it. This attachable component may be made with elastic around the entire band area or the back region beneath the zipper member. Notably the thickness of this member may vary in size.

FIG. 4A is a cut out perspective view of the band strap member with the visor 12 in it. This view displays two flaps being turned downward exposing the zipper fastening means. The strap member is circumferential 13

FIG. 5 is a cut out perspective view of an opened up zipper member that converts a straight brim to a floppy brim. This view is displaying a gusset 99, two flaps 9, and two zipper halves 3 and a zipper clasp 13 at the top of the gusset 99 member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ball cap. This cap is displayed with two flaps 9 being turned upward and downward exposing the zipper 3 fastener. This cap has a button like feature 17 at the crown 6.

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of the button feature 17 exploded from the cap. This member is attached via hook and loop fastening means but it may be made to attach via snap on method or via screw on method.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the visor component. The said is displaying a flap 9 being turned downward exposing the zipper 3 half. This visor 12 component is made with a zipper fastener. This component in particular attaches at the front region 42 of the hat.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the cap foundation without the visor and the button feature from the top region. This illustration is showing the attachable member being peeled away. Notably, this cap and the other hats may be made with or without the depression for the upper attachable member 52.

Further, it is noted that all of the embodiments may be made of any material that lends itself to the invention such as felt, leather suede, nylon, spandex, denim, synthetic fibers, knit, waterproof materials, embroidered materials, embossed, materials, stretchy fabrics, satin, patent leather, velvet, PVC, wool, polyester, snake skin, alligator skin, ostrich skin, crocodile skin, pony hair, all furs, goatskin, lambskin, flannel, vinyl, beaded fabric, corduroy, faux leather, pebbled leather, faux skins, monogrammed suede embossed, canvas, plastic coated canvas, silk, quilted materials, shearling, goose down insulations, woven materials, studded fabrics, sequence fabrics. It is also noted that the foundation may be of any size or style hat such as a cloche, beret, skull cap, fedora, cowboy hat, sun hat, ball cap, golf cap, winter hat, summer hat, and a straw hat. The foundation may be made of any material that lends itself to the invention, such as leather, suede denim, weatherproof materials, recycled and organic materials, materials that block the Ultra Violet A rays, sweat wicking fabrics. It is noted that detachable liners for the hat or cap foundations may be incorporated into the design. The liners may be made of silk, satin, fur, faux fur or any other material that lends itself to the invention.

It is appreciated that many different types (i.e. sizes and styles) and the amount of zippers placed on the outside of the hat, or cap foundations to the attachable components will vary and can also be used in accordance with the invention. It is also noted that the zipper slide and pull portions located on the foundations or the attachable components may be in full view or hidden via a flap of material on the foundation hat or attachable components themselves or may be in full view and its function is also an aspect of the design.

It is also noted that the foundation hat or cap components are fully functional by itself. It is also not necessary that the attachments be circumferentially attachable. The upper components may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Dual post curved zippers are optional for reversible components.

While the drawings do not illustrate various examples of flaps or depressions within the hat for upper members, it is noted that trapezoidal curved or straight flaps covering the connection between the attachable sections which may or may not be reversible which without any attachable component is fully functional by itself.

Where a permanently affixed outer flap is provided over a zipper, such as a dual post zipper for reversible and or interchangeable upper such as a regular zipper for non-reversible interchangeable upper, then in such case, the flap itself may be further pulled down to expose an inner skirt having a connection interface at an outer distal end region or edge, to allow better manual access therein and allow for the use of horizontal zippers in instances where the demarcation edge of flaps is other than a horizontal shape (i.e. trapezoid, curve zigzag, wavy, angular, etc.).

It is believed that the advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent that a number of variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly the foregoing description is to be constructed as illustrative only, rather than limiting. This invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims. 

1. Wherein, as part of claim 1 and 3, attachable sections may serve as increasing or changing the brim of the hat or cap foundation or to embellish the hat.
 2. A hat system where part of claim 1 where the foundation may have an exposed or hidden pocket.
 3. As part of claim 1 or 2, an attachable component where a zipper is ideal although it may be made of any type of fastening means such as snaps mechanical traditional snaps, buttons, hook and loop, buckles, linear zippers, eyelets and lace-up structures.
 4. A hat system as in claim 1 having at least one upper component or lower component with an engageable portion for said fastener.
 5. A hat system as in claim 1 where user friendly fasteners are selected from the group compromising snaps, buttons, studs, curved zippers, linear zippers, linear dual post zippers and Velcro.
 6. A hat system where attachable components or liners may be fur or faux fur.
 7. A hat system as in claim 1 wherein a said array comprises an extended arranged plurality of fasteners, said array preferably being comprised of at lease 2 such groups of apertures in combination with apertures and related connections engaging a foundation hat and an interchangeable component.
 8. Wherein said connection interface is a zipper or a dual post zipper in reference to claim 1 and
 2. 9. A hat system as in claim one where the hat foundation, attachable upper components and lower components may be made of studs, felt, wool, canvas, organic materials, weather proof materials, cotton, nylon, polyester, angora, crocheted fabrics, linen, felt, sweat wicking fabric, acrylic, knitted fabrics, denim, satin, silk, lace, velvet, velour, rhinestones, jewels, sequence, straw, raffia, leather, suede, canvas, beads or any other materials that lend themselves to the invention.
 10. Wherein as claim 2, we claim that an attachable member wherein is used in a hat system of claim 1 and serves as an attachable section or embellishment and or creates a pony tail holder within the hat construction.
 11. We claim that the attachable members from claim 2 such as upper components, lower components, and embellishments may be sold separately.
 12. We claim that the attachable members of one hat foundation may fit another hat foundation creating more versatility so long as the sizes are compatible.
 13. We claim that all of the hats or caps may be manufactured for men, women, children and toddler and have utility alone.
 14. We claim that the attachable components may be of any size and may be open ended or may not have any open ends (joined circumferentially).
 15. We claim that the hat foundation of claim 1 may vary from a hat with no brim to a hat with a brim of six inches.
 16. We claim that a hat system may be sold with at least one upper or lower component up to an unlimited number, thus creating a hat with different length brims, visors of different designs, or a hat with an array of decorative embellishments.
 17. We claim that any of the fastening means may be constructed in a circumferential pattern on each component to facilitate the application and the removal of the created hat and they all may be placed along the perimeter of the component, such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop, buckles, linear zippers, eyelets and lace-up structures. The fastening means will have reciprocating fastening means that correspond or are matable with each of the fasteners on each of the attachable components. 